AUBURN, Ala. (WIAT) – A new study out of Auburn University found that flying can be dangerous, but not because of crashes. Rather, it’s because of potentially deadly bacteria coming along for the ride.

The study looked at how long E. coli and MRSA can live on different surfaces inside an airplane’s cabin and how easily they are transmitted by contact.

Researchers found that MRSA, a bug resistant to most antibiotics, can live on seatback pockets for up to a week. A deadly type of E. coli can survive on armrests for up to four days, on a plane’s tray table for up to three days and on toilet handles for two days.